A new, FREE (RSVP required) event series at Victory Gardens that takes you behind-the-scenes for an in-depth look at a unique aspect of the rehearsal process during each of our five season productions! Then, enjoy complimentary wine, beer and snacks as you mingle with members of the casts and design teams at our kick-off party in the Victory Gardens Theater lobby at 7:00 PM. See additional details

Join the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce at Earl's Kitchen & Bar at
8:00 AM on
Tuesday, February 9 for
Lincoln Park 2016 to learn more about what's happening at the state and local level in a lively dialogue with our legislative officials. See
additional details.

Tuesday, February 9th, 2016

LCA Zoning Committee Meeting

The LCA Zoning & Planning Committee meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month to discuss ways to ensure open and fair processes for developers and homeowners. The meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM in the back room of the Marquee Lounge at Halsted and Armitage. The public is invited to attend.

Thursday, February 25th, 2016

LCA Monthly Meeting

The public is invited to attend the discussions at LCA Board meetings, which are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM in the back room of the Marquee Lounge at Halsted and Armitage.

Setting the tone of community celebration at the LCA Annual Membership Meeting, 5th District
Congressman Mike Quigley told

Rep. Quigley during Q&A

attendees that "policy comes from the ground up."

Congressman Quigley said he attended his first community meeting 33 years ago. "Since then I've attended 5,000 community meetings. This is where the hard issues are debated. This is where the tough decisions are formulated. That's why we look to you to advise us on what's going on."

Referring to the difficulties occurring at the state level in Illinois, the Congressman, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Select Committee on Intelligence, said he hears many jokes about Illinois due to its problems--past and current. To help counter the criticism, he has founded a Congressional Transparency Caucus to discuss corruption and transparency issues in state, as well as the federal, governments.

The Congressman invited attendees to "Let us know how we can help you on these issues." Congressman Quigley said his role as Intelligence Committee member has also given him the opportunity to visit and learn about values in a variety of countries and locales.

One issue that has struck him is the value people in other countries place on the right to vote. Pointing to the low Illinois voter turnout (28.4%) in the last election, he said in many areas, notably Ukraine, people fight for this right. "Elections do matter," he told attendees. "Exercise your right!"

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know it is not necessary to be a member of LCA's Board to serve on one our committees? As long as you are a member in good standing, you are eligible to serve on a committee if slots in that committee are open. And, our committees can always use your help even if there is not an opening at the present time. So, if you are interested parks, neighborhood beautification, schools, safety, events, community affairs, zoning or any other aspect of our neighborhood, let us know and we'll tell you how to get involved.

HEART CHECK UP

Every month, we do our best to keep you informed about news and events in our neighborhood that affect you. We receive much positive feedback, but we'd love to know what we can do better. We hope you will reach out to us with any suggestions to help us improve From the Heart and also our website.

In particular, if you have story ideas, news items, information about upcoming events, photos or other suggestions, please share them with our co-editors, Kenneth Dotson and Kathy Jordan. If you know someone from our neighborhood who has achieved an important milestone or who you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please let us know.

If you would like to be a guest columnist or even write regularly for From the Heart, get in touch. The pay isn't very good. It's actually nothing-but don't let that stop you; we could use the help!

Most importantly, though, thanks for reading. You're who we write for each month in From the Heart.

As you will read elsewhere in this issue, and in previous issues of From the Heart, great things are happening in Lincoln Central Association. Our increasing momentum and visibility have enhanced our ability to influence your neighborhood in positive ways. Of course, with so many new initiatives in place, there is now more need than ever to have you join our efforts.

But first things first! How can we help you? Let us know; that's what we're here for.

"LCA's involvement and influence in Lincoln Park is growing, attracting new and vital people and ideas," 43rd Ward
Alderman Michele Smith told
members and guests at the
Lincoln Central Association's Annual Membership Meeting held at
Four Farthings Tavern & Grill. "Neighborhood organizations are the backbone of the community," she continued. "They help shape everything. And LCA is in the forefront of opportunities to shape the community on zoning, schools, crime, and sanitation and they are making thgings happen. The Alderman encouraged the non-members in attendance to
join the organization to be part of the excitement LCA is creating in the neighborhood.

The Alderman pointed to the
#1 School Community program, the ultimate goal of which is to encourage parents in the 43rd Ward to send their children to Lincoln Park High School as the neighborhood school. But involving the
neighborhood in supporting the school is also a major priority. Activities have included ongoing efforts to paint LPHS classrooms and fundraising to repair the new athletic field. The Alderman also hopes to get neighborhood support for a Homecoming Parade featuring the award-winning marching band from the high school.

Other projects underway in the ward
Neighborhood Night at Lincoln on Monday, February 8 for all neighborhood residents to visit to new West Building at Lincoln Elementary School, replacement of all the playground equipment at
Bauler Park, and supporting water sustainability practices such as the Rain Barrel program featured in the
November edition of
From the Heart.

Finally, the Alderman said a new initiative will focus on culture. "Culture is the number one industry of Lincoln Park," she said. "We have hospitality and theater and all of the other cultural options available in the
ward. We need to promote them to the entire city."

HEART ON DISPLAY

Neighbors joined LCA members in a heart-warming celebration of the past year and a toast to another successful year ahead. The occasion was LCA's Annual Membership Meeting at Four Farthings Tavern & Grill on Wednesday, January 27.

Members give thumbs up to candidate slate

As is LCA's long time custom, the Annual Meeting and neighborhood reception was held in conjunction with an election to replace Officers and Directors whose terms were expired. Elected to the board for 2016 and 2017 were Secretary James Borkman, Treasurer David J. Free, and Directors Betsy Costello, Deirdre Graziano, Patty O'Neill Harris, Steve McClellan, Lisa Qu, Bob Segal, and Paul Shea. All candidates were elected by acclimation. Read more about LCA's Officers and Board members.

Immediately prior to the election, LCA's President Kenneth Dotson expressed gratitude to the five long time board members whose terms of office ended at the January meeting -- Sally Drucker, Paul Maggio, Joan Simmons, Gary Sinclair, and David Varnerin. "Each of them has dedicated countless hours and spirited energy to help make our neighborhood a safer, more beautiful, and more desirable place to live," he said. "We will continue to rely on their wisdom and guidance for many years to come," he added. Alderman Smith expressed similar sentiments in her remarks.

More than 75 people enjoyed the reception that followed the meeting and presentations.

NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT AT LINCOLN

Monday, February 8

Abraham Lincoln Elementary School invites you to Neighborhood Night at Lincoln on Monday, February 8th. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Please enter the school through door #14 in the new, west building. Eighth grade Ambassadors will offer 30-minute guided tours of the school at 6:45 PM. and 7:30 PM. 7:30 P.M. Principal Mark Armendariz will address guests at 7:15 P.M. Come for the first tour and stay for the principal's remarks or come at 7:15 P.M. and stay for the second tour. Lincoln School has been in existence for over 140 years. The original school building was completed in 1871. With growth of the largely German Lincoln Park neighborhood, an addition was completed in 1894; that addition is still in use today. In 1937, the original building was razed and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the east building in 1939, which is still in use today. Last fall, Lincoln completed its most recent addition. Several parents of current students also will be available to welcome neighbors to this iconic building.

Registration is now open here. The cost to attend is $10 to help cover CCGA's costs and payment can be made when registering or in-person on March 5th at the event. Even if you pay in cash please use the link above to register and choose your workshop selections. Go here for more details.

FIRE ENGINE 22 STILL NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Our friends at Fire Engine Engine 22 still need a new treadmill for their station to keep our firefighters physically fit. Can you help?

Their fitness helps keep our neighborhood safe! If you can help, please email Ben Hosek or stop by the station and speak with one of the firefighters.

JOIN THE HEART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOOD

LCA members are the heart of our beautiful neighborhood. The benefits of membership are many and the cost is small. If you're not already a member, we hope you'll join today. Simply select one of the affordable membership options below: